So, I stepped back and really evaluated my life. Taking away social media and medication by scrolling for a week really opened up some wounds. Addressing these wounds was met with resistance. Little Brent just wanted to run and hide. Instead of running to counterfeit’s, I addressed the wounds before God and now I’m taking steps to treat heal them! It’s been so rewarding!

I found myself reaching for my phone, opening it, but not doing anything else. It’s like the house was empty, but I was still showing up to the party. This knee jerk response made me question what other things I’m responding to in the same way. Anxiety, loneliness, frustration, or grief. This has revealed to me a few other places inside that I have just created a routine to cover the problem. Driving up to the pharmacy but not buying the counterfeit medication has left the wounds open and exposed. My prayer for day for day 3 is that I learn to remove the knee jerk responses and lean into Christ when these wounds feel irritated. Lord, help me to identify the wounds and seek you.

How did yesterday go? Did you check socials? I deleted IG off of my phone, but I kept pulling my phone out, out of habit, and would just end up reading my Bible app if I had a minute to sit down. Yesterday was my youngest's 3rd birthday, and we had a little celebration for him at our house. Not having Instagram made an impact into my involvement in everything, I believe. I'm always involved, but my head was always up. I engaged in more conversations with my in-laws and sister, and her family. I helped more, I put together toys, and I honestly enjoyed the day more. I felt more relaxed. The thing to watch out for is replacing IG or FB with something else like another app, or a game. You have to know what it is you are doing this for, and be intentional about it. I told myself that every time I felt like pulling out my phone, I would pray. So I did. There were some cool moments yesterday that I'll share in a video if I can get a minute to make one today. I have a seminary paper due Wednesday and a teaching cohort prep sermon to do by tomorrow, lol. Pray for me. What did y'all notice yesterday?

Day one reflection: Wow, never want to admit I am an addict but geez! How many times did I think about looking at Social Media! 😬 I didn’t but, man this draw! I did find myself trying to plan each moment. What I was going to do with my phone and making excepts in my head. I saw a small glimpse of the hold it has on me! Almost drove myself crazy! My prayer for this week will be: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts:” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Day 2 note: I asked myself this morning when I felt the urge to get on: What am I feeling? Where am I? What do I need? Bringing these questions to the Holy Spirit.

Happy December 1st, my friends. Day 1 of no social media is here, and I'm so excited for it, honestly. I wanted to kick this off by asking a question: Why are you doing this? Whether it's to control your dopamine addiction, or get some time back, why did you choose to get rid of social media for a month? For me, I just wanted to slow down and focus on prayer, reflection, and planning this month. I'm tired of the go, go, go, and I really want to press into the Advent season and give Jesus as much time and devotion as I can, while giving my family the same, and I couldn't do that with having to post, respond, and keep up with Instagram and all that comes with running a business on there. @Andrew Walters brought to light a great scripture to focus on during this time: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:18 The question that's prompted is, what do we fix our eyes on? When we aren't pulled in the directions of our busy schedule, it's probably our phones. So we put those down. Good. Now what? Today is the first day of Advent. Let's settle our hearts on the notion that we are waiting for a savior. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel... A passage that's fitting for us on our first few days of this challenge: "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18 Prayer: Our Lord, Thank you for being so kind to us. Our focus hasn't been on you, and yet you love us and call us beloved sons. Forgive us for our distracted minds and burdened hearts. Help us give those temptations, the free time that we've pulled out our phones; help use press into the small moments with our family during this time and always. Holy Spirit, lead us during this Advent season. Show us the heart posture we need to truly dwell in your goodness and understand the depth of your love, God, in sending your son into this broken world to redeem the lost and usher in your kingdom. We long for you, Jesus. Help us wait for you patiently, with hands ready to serve, and hearts ready to receive the fullness of your love.